Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Sudan

29 October 2024 · 12 other contributors

Opened by Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East

UkraineForeign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Anneliese Dodds raised concerns about sudan in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • UK's leading role in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan due to ongoing conflict
  • UK condemned recent violence and obstruction of aid at the UN Security Council
  • UK extended the mandate of the independent fact-finding mission on Sudan

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Anneliese Dodds

The minister announced the UK's leading role in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, caused by conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and Rapid Support Forces since April last year. She highlighted the UK’s efforts at the UN Security Council, including condemnation of recent violence and obstruction of aid. The UK has also extended the mandate of the independent fact-finding mission on Sudan and convened events to raise awareness of sexual violence. The minister mentioned a £113.5 million aid package for those affected by the crisis in Sudan and neighbouring countries.

Other contributors (12)
  • Andrew Mitchell Con Sutton Coldfield

    Question

    The war in Sudan represents the largest humanitarian crisis, hunger crisis and displacement crisis in the world but has been almost entirely neglected. He questioned the UK's responsibility to protect and urged the Government to match-fund a Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Sudan.

    Minister reply

    Minister affirmed that the new Government is determined not to neglect this crisis and is working within the UN, as well as bilaterally, to ensure leadership on this issue. She highlighted efforts to keep borders open for aid and mentioned the work of mutual aid groups in supporting those affected by the crisis.

  • Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op York Central

    Question

    My right hon Friend asked for specific details on UK's actions at the UN General Assembly to address the worsening situation in Sudan.

    Minister reply

    The minister explained that the UK convened an event with partners to draw attention to conflict-related sexual violence and held a meeting on the Sudanese humanitarian situation. She emphasised the importance of these efforts in addressing the world’s largest displacement crisis.

  • Monica Harding Lib Dem Esher and Walton

    Question

    Some 25 million people urgently need assistance in Sudan and more than 10 million have been displaced from their homes. Will the Minister affirm that attaining a ceasefire in Sudan is a diplomatic priority for the UK? The UK is the penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council and assumes the presidency of the council from Friday. Last night, I met the former civilian Prime Minister of Sudan, Dr Abdalla Hamdok, who is president of the broad civilian front Tagadum. He is pushing for safe zones for civilians. Will the UK sponsor a new Security Council resolution to designate no-fly areas for aircraft and Iranian drones, and to uphold responsibilities under resolution 2417? Will the Government increase the capacity of their mission in Sudan as a practical means of support? Will they also further increase UK humanitarian assistance, including support for the UN appeal for Sudan, which has received only half its target funding?

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to the hon. Lady for the incredibly important point. She is right to underline that we must see an end to the hostilities. The impact of continued violence on the civilian population is extreme: there is the highest level of displacement and food insecurity anywhere in the world. We are doing all we can to advocate for a ceasefire, including through our activity as penholder at the UN Security Council. Richard Crowder is the newly appointed head of British Office Sudan and UK special representative to Sudan, working hard on advocating for safe zones and supporting refugees.

  • Laura Kyrke-Smith Lab Aylesbury

    Question

    The violence continues in part because the warring parties have their sponsors in the region, including Iran and the Gulf. What efforts are the Government making to work with those regional sponsors to encourage de-escalation and secure a ceasefire?

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to my hon. Friend for mentioning that; she has considerable experience in the area of humanitarian need. We have been extremely concerned by the situation revealed in January 2024, where external engagement is only justified if it helps provide humanitarian support. The Government will continue to make this argument strongly.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Question

    Both Front Benchers seem united in their passionate concern about this terrible conflict. Does the Minister agree that if this situation were happening in a conflict on the continent of Europe or in the middle east, it would be on our national news night after night? Why does she think our broadcasters give a second-order priority to such a terrible conflict?

    Minister reply

    The right hon. Gentleman asks an important question. Without dwelling on it, hearing from those impacted about their time trying to escape violence leads one to conclude there must be more focus on the situation. The Government are determined to use every lever—multilateral and bilateral—to try to force change and protect Sudanese people.

  • Alice Macdonald Lab Co-op Norwich North

    Question

    A UN investigation found today that rape is widespread in Sudan. The conflict is the world’s forgotten war. How will the UK use its presidency of the UN Security Council in November to ensure that the crisis is no longer forgotten and that the world acts, including on sexual violence in conflict?

    Minister reply

    My hon. Friend raises an incredibly important issue; again, she has experience in this area. The UK Government have repeatedly condemned atrocities and called out human rights violations, especially conflict-related sexual violence committed by parties to the conflict. We are supporting fact-finding missions and securing support from more countries for these important UN missions.

  • Ellie Chowns Green North Herefordshire

    Question

    The brutality of violence in Sudan, and the disruption of agricultural systems and trade routes, have led to extreme food insecurity. Does the Minister share my admiration for local emergency room organisations? What will she do to ensure that international aid can get through to those actors on the ground?

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to the hon. Lady for referring to the emergency response rooms; I had a meeting with individuals involved with these mechanisms. We are supporting ordinary Sudanese people who have taken brave steps to support their local communities with desperately needed humanitarian aid. The UK is working with the UN on that, and we will continue to push to make sure that the Adré border crossing is kept open for aid from Chad.

  • Steve Race Lab Exeter

    Question

    What discussions have the Government had with regional actors to bring pressure on the RSF and the SAF to ensure humanitarian access to prevent severe starvation?

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this. We have had discussions with a number of bilateral partners both in the region and outside it, particularly countries in the Gulf and beyond that. We are really pushing for those relationships to be used so that we see aid delivery that is desperately needed.

  • Chris Law SNP Dundee Central

    Question

    The UN Secretary-General warned yesterday that outside powers are fuelling the fire and intensifying the nightmare of hunger and disease for millions in Sudan. What precise actions are the UK Government taking to prevent this involvement and to stop arms reaching conflict zones?

    Minister reply

    I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for being of the same mind on how we need to see an end to external engagement and to see warring parties coming to the negotiating table. There have been efforts to achieve that, but sadly, both parties must engage more fully.

  • Steve Yemm Lab Mansfield

    Question

    What are the Government doing to ensure that the real picture of the impact on civilians in the region is well known, or better known, both domestically and in the international community?

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this; it really is important that we get an accurate picture of what is taking place, including human rights violations. We are supporting the Centre for Information Resilience and pushing hard for support for UN’s fact-finding mission. African nations have backed these efforts.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    On the escalating violence in Sudan’s Gezira state, recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces have reportedly led to some 124 civilian deaths and widespread atrocities, including the targeting of ethnic and religious communities. In light of the events that have led to the displacement of some 11 million people in Sudan, how are the Government working with international partners to safeguard the freedom of religious belief of those fleeing the religiously and ethnically motivated violence, and what immediate actions have been taken to ensure access to safe passage, humanitarian aid and protection for Sudanese civilians facing persecution, especially those from vulnerable religious communities?

    Minister reply

    I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising this incredibly important issue. One of the many tragic developments we see in Sudan at the moment is that, under the previous transitional Government to whom we referred a few moments ago, there was considerable progress on freedom of religion and belief. For example, apostasy was decriminalised and Christmas was made a national holiday for those who wish to celebrate it, so there was a lot of progress. We have not so far seen a significant increase in the specific targeting of or discrimination against any religious minorities for their beliefs, but we will keep that under very close review, and we are aware that the broader human rights situation has clearly been deteriorating very disturbingly.

Shadow Comment

Andrew Mitchell

The shadow criticised the neglect of the Sudan crisis compared to other global issues like the Middle East and Ukraine, citing deaths, displacement, and food insecurity. He questioned the UK’s responsibility to protect and called for the launch of a Disasters Emergency Committee appeal on Sudan as soon as possible.

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